Freedom of Information requests

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) 2000 allows everyone the right to request access to all types of information held by public bodies, such as HEFCE.

Making your Freedom of Information request

Be specific

You will get the information more quickly if you help us identify the exact information you require. It will also mean that your request is less likely to be turned down on cost grounds. Make sure that you:

• are as specific as possible about what information you want
• if unsure about the exact kind of information you require, provide us with a clear description
• provide, where appropriate, a relevant time frame, for example, 1999 to 2000, or January to April 1985.

Let us know how you want the information

How would you like the information sent to you, for example by post or by e-mail? Let us know when you make your request and we will meet your preference where we can.

Provide contact details

We may have to get in touch with you to discuss your request. Please tell us in your request how you would prefer us to contact you.

Where to send your request

You can make a freedom of information request by e-mail to foi@hefce.ac.uk

Or in writing to:

FOI request
HEFCE
Northavon House 
Coldharbour Lane
BRISTOL
BS16 1QD

When we receive your FOI request

We aim to reply promptly to your request, and are obliged by statute to provide a response within 20 working days. Some information may not be available because it falls within one of the exemptions of the Act. When that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies and, in most cases, why the information cannot be released.

In some cases we may need to extend the deadline to consider the public interest. If the time limit is extended, we will notify you of this delay within 20 working days of your initial request, and state when we believe we will be able to respond in full.

There might be a cost involved in dealing with your request which you may have to pay. If so, we will send you a notice stating the amount you have to pay, and how we calculated that amount. You will then have three months to pay the fee before we will continue to process your request. Please also see our charging policy.

Further information about FOI

Information Commissioner's Office web-site:www.ico.gov.uk/Home/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information.aspx

The Information Commissioner has provided guidance on Access to official information including a factsheet called 'Its public information' which gives further information on how to make a responsible and effective freedom of information request.

Page last updated 1 December 2011